Amidst the excitement of a new pregnancy, miscarriage can be a daunting fear — even more so for those who have experienced a miscarriage before. Dr. Edwin Robins from Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane, Washington, shares answers to the two most common fertility questions from those who have experienced a miscarriage.

1. “WILL THIS KEEP HAPPENING?”

Unfortunately, miscarriages are common. According to the Mayo Clinic, 10-20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriages. Fortunately, an early pregnancy loss (within the first 20 weeks) is unlikely to create issues with the uterus. Having a miscarriage, or even two, does not make you less fertile. But having several miscarriages consecutively may be a sign of an existing condition that is affecting your fertility. Women who’ve had two or more miscarriages are considered to have recurrent miscarriages, and should be evaluated by a Fertility Specialist.

2. “WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?”

For women with recurrent miscarriages, a visit to a fertility specialist is crucial. If a cause can be determined, you may be able to take preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of future miscarriages. Miscarriages are often caused by a genetic abnormality in the embryo. Other causes could be anatomical, immunological, or hormonal issues, or unknown causes. There are a number of different tests we can perform to determine the likely cause of recurrent miscarriage. There are also treatment and surgery options available to help correct issues preventing a full-term pregnancy. Women should be sure to discuss all the options with their Fertility Specialist.

Fear of miscarriage may not go away entirely, but with a cause identified and prevention plan in place, women can pursue pregnancy with less fear and improve chances of having a successful pregnancy.